Pirates Mocked To Select Slugging Catcher In MLB Draft originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have the fifth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and will add another high-profile prospect to the system.
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Pittsburgh has selected high schoolers in the last two drafts, picking Konnor Griffin two years ago and pitcher Seth Hernandez a year ago. Although the Pirates have had success drafting high schoolers, draft analyst Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com expects Pittsburgh to go the college route this year.
Ahead of the MLB Draft, Mayo released his mock draft, and he has the Pirates selecting Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey at fifth overall, who he ranks as the third-best prospect.
“The Pirates have drafted the best high school position player (Konnor Griffin) and best high school pitcher (Seth Hernandez) in the last two Drafts,” Mayo wrote. “If they wanted to go down that road again they could look at Eric Booth Jr. on the hitter side, or Gio Rojas on the mound, but it would be tough to pass on the super-athletic Lackey.”
Lackey has spent three years at Georgia Tech, and this season, he’s hitting .404 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs, as his bat has been exceptional, as well as his defensive game.
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The 20-year-old catcher would join a Pirates prospect pool that is led by Hernandez, Edward Florentino, and Hunter Braco, among others.
The 2026 MLB Draft is set for July 11-13.
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